Painting photo etched

I used Tamiya fine spray primer.  Worked well and had very little touch up after installing the belts.  I think I’m sold on PE for aircraft seat belts.

After I wash the PE, I brush on some vinegar for a few minutes. then wash it off. I think the mild acid etches the surface and makes the paint adhere better.

I try to preform them and then paint.  Stick them with a dab of CA or white glue.  Once in the pit they aren't going to see a lot of abuse.

Srpuln10

What's the best kind of primer for PE? 

 

I always spray Mr Surfacer 1200 if I can get it,or Tamiya Extra Fine.Works for me,have not had a problem with paint adhesion or peeling off.

What's the best kind of primer for PE? 

Mine too.

Glad you mentioned priming. I use mostly acrylic paints and they don't adhere to PE well, so a good primer is important. Especially the belts. Unprimed, touching them the wrong way can flex them and pop unprimed paint right off.

I paint mine while still on the fret, but the process is the same.

That's mine.

Thanks gentlemen.  I thought about cracking paint.  It wouldn’t be the end of the world to touch up once installed.  I just removed the belts from the photo etched fret.  That was a timely process.  I thought a light touch with a knife would remove them.  It took a little finesse to finally free them.  So I’m going to clean the parts, prime, paint, install, and touch up any cracked paint.  Is that the right process?

In that case yes.Ship railings too.Some pieces are better installed 1st,like exhaust covers tool clamps and the like,painted after attaching on armor models.

I always paint mine before fitting. The main issue is that the belts need to be bent or folded to the right shape and the paint can crack when doing this.